The Marriage License
Where do you get one?
A couple who intends to be
married in Florida may obtain a marriage license
from Monday through Friday,
between the hours of 8am to 5:30pm at any Office
of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Hours may vary
so be sure to call ahead. The license does not need
to be issued in the county that the ceremony will
take place in. The ceremony must take place in the
State of Florida to be considered valid.
Is there a waiting period?
There is no waiting period
for Florida residents that have both completed a
state sanctioned marriage
preparation course within the last year. There is
a 3 day waiting period for Florida residents who
have not taken the course. In addition prospective
brides and grooms are now required to read a 16-page
booklet which describes situations such as how a
court would divide their assets and information about
child support payments. Court Clerks are allowed
by law to waive the three-day waiting period in the
event of a "hardship" case. Also, the waiting
period does not apply to non-Florida residents.
How long is the license valid?
A marriage license
is valid for 60 days.
How much does it cost?
The fee is $88.50, payable
in cash only. Couples who have completed the state-sanctioned
marriage
preparation course within the past 12 months are
only charged $56.00. (Note: Fees for marriage licenses
are set by the Florida Legislature, and are subject
to change)
Is a premarital physical exam required?
No premarital
examination or blood test is required to obtain a
marriage license in Florida.
What are the age and consent requirements for minors?
Both
applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply
for a marriage license in the State of Florida.
If an individual is under 18 years of age but older
than 16 years of age, a marriage license can be obtained
with parental consent. If a parent has sole custody
or the other parent is deceased, the permission of
one parent is sufficient. If a person is under the
age of 16, the marriage license has to be issued
by a county judge, with or without parental permission.
If a minor's parents are both deceased and there
is not an appointed guardian, he/she may apply for
a marriage license. A minor who has been previously
married may also apply for a license. A minor who
swears that they have a child or are expecting a
baby, can apply for a license if the pregnancy has
been verified by a written statement from a licensed
physician. A county court judge may at his/her discretion
issue or not issue a license for them to marry.
Proof of Age and Identity
Both parties for the intended
marriage must provide the Clerk's Office a valid
photo ID. Accepted forms
of ID's are driver's license, State Identification
Card, Valid Passport, a I-94 card, Government or
Military Identification Card along with a valid Social
Security Card.
Previous Marriages
If either party has ever been
married and divorced, or widowed, the date of the
divorce or date of the
spouse's death must be supplied. If the divorce or
spouse's death occurred within the past 30 days,
a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate
is required.
Where can I get copies of my records?
Department of Children and Families
Division of Vital Statistics
P. O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
(904) 359-6955
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